Man’s true goal is the abode of the Hereafter—a realm of peace and security and a kingdom that shall last for eternity. The Quran refers to it as “Paradise.” Man has been sent into this world to attain that Paradise. Accordingly, God has guided him to strive for it throughout his life. He has said:
وَسَارِعُوا إِلَىٰ مَغْفِرَةٍ مِنْ رَبِّكُمْ وَجَنَّةٍ عَرْضُهَا السَّمَاوَاتُ وَالْأَرْضُ
"And hasten towards forgiveness from your Lord and a Paradise whose breadth is like that of the heavens and the earth." [Quran, 3:133]
To attain this lofty goal of Paradise, the method appointed by God is tazkiyah al-nafs (purification of the soul). This means that the gates of Paradise will open only for those who strive to purify themselves in both outward and inward aspects. God declares:
The Blessings of Fasting
وَمَنْ يَأْتِهِ مُؤْمِنًا قَدْ عَمِلَ الصَّالِحَاتِ فَأُولَٰئِكَ لَهُمُ الدَّرَجَاتُ الْعُلَىٰ جَنَّاتُ عَدْنٍ تَجْرِي مِنْ تَحْتِهَا الْأَنْهَارُ خَالِدِينَ فِيهَا وَذَٰلِكَ جَزَاءُ مَنْ تَزَكَّىٰ
"And whoever comes to Him as a believer, having done righteous deeds—for such people there will be the highest ranks: Gardens of Eternity, beneath which rivers flow, wherein they shall remain forever. That is the reward of those who purify themselves." [Quran, 20:75–76]
This tazkiyah al-nafs is the very aim of religion. In other words, all guidance regarding faith and action given through religion is intended to purify the soul. The prophets of God teach human beings the path through which they can achieve this purification of their souls. Javed Ahmed Ghamidi has written:
“The objective of this religion, as stated in the Quran, is tazkiyah. It means purifying individual and collective human life from defilements and guiding its thought and conduct in the right direction. The Quran repeatedly states that man’s ultimate aim is Paradise and the blessed dominion of radiyatan mardiyyah—to be pleased with God and be pleasing to Him. The assurance of reaching this station of success and eternal triumph is only for those who purify themselves in this world.”
He then cites the verse:
قَدْ أَفْلَحَ مَنْ تَزَكَّىٰ وَذَكَرَ اسْمَ رَبِّهِ فَصَلَّىٰ بَلْ تُؤْثِرُونَ الْحَيَاةَ الدُّنْيَا وَالْآخِرَةُ خَيْرٌ وَأَبْقَىٰ
"Successful indeed is he who purified himself, remembered the name of his Lord, and prayed. But you prefer the life of this world, though the Hereafter is better and more lasting." [Quran, 87:14–17]
Thus, in religion, the ultimate aim is purification. The prophets were sent for this very purpose, and the entire religion has been revealed to guide man toward this goal. God has said:
-هُوَ الَّذِي بَعَثَ فِي الْأُمِّيِّينَ رَسُولًا مِنْهُمْ يَتْلُو عَلَيْهِمْ آيَاتِهِ وَيُزَكِّيهِمْ وَيُعَلِّمُهُمُ الْكِتَابَ وَالْحِكْمَةَ
"He is the One who raised among the unlettered a Messenger from among themselves who recites to them His verses, purifies them, and teaches them the Book and Wisdom." [Quran, 62:2]
This makes it clear that the religion revealed through God’s Messenger (PBUH) is a call to purify both the individual and collective life of human beings.
Its essential task is to guide people toward the paths of purification.
For this purpose, religion has prescribed a wide range of commands. Collectively, these commands are referred to as the Shariah. If we examine them closely, they fall into four categories:
1.Acts of Worship
2.Purification of the Body
3.Purification of Character
4.Purification of Food and Drink
The entire process of tazkiyah al-nafs revolves around these four elements.
The injunctions regarding acts of worship consist of prescribed rituals and verbal expressions performed in a particular manner and with specific words. These are legislated both as obligatory and supererogatory acts.
The injunctions regarding bodily purification are expressed through rituals and manners whose observance has been prescribed.
The injunctions regarding purification of character relate to virtues and vices that are naturally distinguished in the human conscience, calling one towards noble traits and away from base ones.
The injunctions regarding food and drink are based on the natural distinction between wholesome and impure, and they define what is lawful and unlawful in consumption. All these injunctions together form the divine methodology for the purification of the soul.